For those starting the process of applying to the b-school Class of 2010, this spring is a great time to do preliminary research on MBA programs; it is equally important to take some time to think about presenting oneself to schools. Given the many roles the resume plays in the business school application process, drafting a resume (or CV) is an excellent starting point for someone embarking on MBA applications. Here are several reasons why now is the time to get a jump-start on your resume:
1) Crafting a resume can serve as the creative starting point for candidates trying to develop their positioning strategy and career goals for the MBA admissions process. Distilling all relevant educational, professional and extracurricular experiences into a coherent one-page document can be an eye-opening exercise. This step is helpful to many applicants because it can reveal overarching themes in their work and activities or bring to light key selling points in their profile.
2) Nearly every top school requires a resume. This is usually requested as part of the written application. Even if the school does not request a stand-alone resume, they will usually solicit similar information within their application forms (employment history, educational background, etc). In addition, candidates are often required to bring a resume to their admissions interviews as a starting point for conversation.
3) Since MBA admissions officers often ask themselves whether a candidate seems likely to gain employment upon completion of the MBA program, the resume is a barometer of an applicant’s potential to market his or her skills and experiences. The adcom is curious to see how a candidate presents his or her experiences prior to earning the MBA degree. Providing the committee with a polished, coherent resume is a great way to demonstrate one’s potential appeal to campus recruiters.
4) The often daunting process of MBA admissions has to start somewhere! Many applicants spend far too much time thinking about essay questions or worrying about recommendations before they’ve actually defined their overall admissions strategy. This is a classic case of putting the cart before the horse.
In contrast, the resume is a nicely defined ‘first step’ that can help a candidate make true progress in the MBA application process. And remember, once you’ve drafted your resume, it serves as a handy summary of your experiences for when you and your recommenders are drafting those essays or recommendation letters down the road.
For those class of 2010 applicants who are beginning to think about the admissions process, the resume is clearly a great place to start. Feel free to contact us if you wish to learn more about the Clear Admit Resume Guide and our free initial assessments.
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